Electric, natural gas aggregation on Delhi Twp. ballots

DELHI TWP. – Residents have a decision to make regarding their utilities when they step in the voting booth May 6.

Township officials have placed two aggregation issues on the primary ballot. Issue 11 asks whether the township should implement an electric aggregation program, and Issue 12 asks the same for natural gas aggregation.

Ohio law permits municipalities to adopt governmental aggregation programs, in which residents are joined together to purchase natural gas and electricity as a group.

“This allows the township to have some purchasing power, so we can join our community with other like communities and attempt to get the best price,” Delhi Township Administrator Pete Landrum said.

“It’s a no-lose situation for residents.”

If the aggregation measures are approved, the township would begin working with Energy Alliances Inc. to seek out lower electric and natural gas rates for residents.

Trustee President Cheryl Sieve said several other communities in the area have had aggregation programs for a few years now, and while township officials know they are late in starting aggregation, they have been able to monitor the results in other communities and learn how to run a successful program.

“We have watched the successes in other townships,” she said. “The savings are varied, but there’s always been a positive in terms of savings.”

She and Landrum said the township elected to go with Energy Alliances as the program’s administrator because the company is highly commended for its customer service and provides an opt-out aggregation program.

The opt-out allows township residents to control their own participation in the aggregation program. Those who don’t want to take part in aggregation will have three different opportunities to opt-out of it, and Landrum said those who do choose to enroll can drop out of the program anytime they wish with no penalty or fee.

“Residents still have the choice,” Sieve said. “They’ll still be able to decide what works best for them. Do I want to be in the aggregation program, or do I stay where I am?”

She said if the issues are approved, the township and Energy Alliances can start researching the market and collecting bids for the best energy rates before next fall and winter arrive, which is why the board placed aggregation on the May ballot.

“This is an opportunity for us to offer savings,” she said. “Any savings we can offer to residents, we need to do.”

Landrum said it’s not yet known how much money residents could save through aggregation because voters have to approve the issues before utility rates can be determined and set, but based on what the township has seen in other jurisdictions it’s very likely residents will realize savings.

“Chances are with the purchasing power we’ll be able to get lower rates than individual customers,” he said.

The township has information about aggregation available on its website, www.delhi.oh.us.